Clematis plant named ‘Evipo032’

ABSTRACT

A new  Clematis  cultivar which is well suited to propagation in glasshouses. With a tall growth habit, profuse, deep violet flowers and continuous summer flowering. The variety successfully propagates from softwood cuttings and is suitable for cultivation in commercial glasshouses. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Botanical classification: Clematis l. Genus— Clematis.Species—viticella.

Variety denomination: ‘Evipo032’.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCOVERY

The present invention constitutes a new and distinct variety of Clematiswhich originated as a chance seedling of unknown parents. The newvariety is named ‘Evipo032’.

The objective of the selection of this Clematis variety for commercialglasshouse and nursery culture was to create a new and distinct varietywith unique qualities that this variety has:

-   -   1. Profuse deep violet flowers;    -   2. Reliable and repeatable production plant;    -   3. Summer flowering;    -   4. Improved disease resistance.

These qualities required improvement in Clematis varieties that were incommercial cultivation and the objectives have been substantiallyachieved in the new variety, as evidenced by the unique combination ofcharacteristics that are present in ‘Evipo032’, which distinguish itfrom all other varieties of which we are aware.

Evaluations of the seedling plant were conducted in a controlledenvironment. As a result, ‘Evipo032’ was selected by Raymond J. Evisonand Mogens N. Olesen in their Clematis development program in DomarieVineries Les Sauvagees, St. Sampsons, Guernsey, Channel Islands, UnitedKingdom in June 1996.

Asexual reproduction of ‘Evipo032’ by cuttings was first done by RaymondJ. Evison and Mogens N. Olesen in Domarie Vineries Les Sauvagees, St.Sampsons, Guernsey, Channel Islands, United Kindgom in April 1997. Thisinitial and subsequent asexual propagations have demonstrated that thecharacteristics of ‘Evipo032’ are true to type and are transmitted fromone generation to the next.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying color illustrations show as true as is reasonablypossible to obtain in color photographs of this type:

FIG. 1 Enlarged image of open flower, upper and lower surface and tepalsdetached;

FIG. 2.1 Upper and lower surface of open flower;

FIG. 2.2 Stem showing branching and the attachment of leaves and flowerbuds;

FIG. 2.3 Flower bud closed and ¼ open;

FIG. 2.4 Stem showing attachment of mature and juvenile leaves.

FIG. 3 Flower cluster showing open flowers and flower buds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed description of ‘Evipo032’, as observed inits growth throughout the flowering period in glasshouses at DomarieVineries Les Sauvagees, St. Sampsons, Guernsey, Channel Islands, UnitedKingdom. Observed plants were cultivated for a period of 24 months in 2liter containers. Certain phenotypical characteristics of the varietymay vary under different environmental, cultural, agronomic, seasonal,and climatic conditions. Color references are made using The RoyalHorticultural Society (London, England) Colour Chart, 2001.

For a comparison, the nearest existing Clematis variety is ‘Blue Belle’,a non-patented variety. Chart 1 details several physical characteristicsof ‘Evipo032’ and the comparison variety.

CHART 1 ‘EVIPO032’ ‘BLUE BELLE’ Tepal Count Normally 6 4 to 6 Tepal Veryregular Variable, arrangement irregular arrangement Flower Below averageMore significant center/repro- quantity of flower center a ductivestamens. greater quantity organs Stamens are also of stamens and heldfairly wider opening of tightly. stamens.

FLOWER AND FLOWER BUD

-   Blooming habit: Summer flowering. Normal flowering months are May,    June, July, August, September.-   Flower bud:    -   -   Size.—12 to 15 mm in length. Bud diameter is 7 mm.        -   Bud form.—Ovate to elliptical.        -   Bud color.—Purple Group N79B.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Aspects.—Near vertical.        -   Surface.—Smooth and pubescent.        -   Length.—145 to 160 mm average length.        -   Color.—Greyed-Purple Group N187B.        -   Strength.—Moderately strong.-   Receptacle: Absent.-   Flower arrangement:    -   -   Location on vine.—Flowering normally occurs on new growth.        -   Borne.—Compound cyme cluster of 3 to 5 flowers.-   Flower bloom:    -   -   Size.—92 to 97 mm in diameter. 20 mm in depth.        -   Profile.—Upon opening: Flowers are flat. After opening:            Flowers are flat with tepals reflexing somewhat.        -   Tepal color.—Upon opening: Upper surface is Violet Group 86A            in color. After opening: Upper surface is Violet Group 86B            in color. Lower surface is Violet Group 86B.        -   Variations.—Violet Group 85C at tepal base.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Lasting quality on plant.—10 to 15 days.        -   Lasting quality as a cut flower.—4 to 5 days.-   Tepals:    -   -   Quantity.—Normally 6 tepals. However, occasionally 4 or 5            tepals have been observed.        -   Size.—42 to 50 mm in length by 28 to 30 mm wide.        -   Shape.—Individual tepal shape is obovate.        -   Undulation of margin.—Weak and weakly serrated.        -   Tepal apex.—Cuspidate.        -   Recurvature of tip.—Reflexed somewhat.        -   Persistence.—Tepals drop off cleanly.        -   Arrangement.—Tepals are arranged regularly.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—Open.        -   Pollen.—Quantity: Below average. Color: Yellow Group 12D.        -   Anthers.—Size: 5 mm in length. Color: Yellow Group 12D.            Quantity: 45 to 60.        -   Filaments.—Color: White Group N155A. Violet Group 85C            observed at filament base. Length: 7 mm.        -   Pistils.—Quantity: 35 to 42.        -   Stigmas.—Inferior to anthers, becoming superior as the            flower opens.        -   Styles.—Color: White Group 155B with base covered with            feathery sheath of Greyed-Yellow Group 162B. Length: 12 to            14 mm.-   Seed head characteristics:    -   -   Size.—Approximately 55 mm in diameter at the base.        -   Shape.—Tear shaped with approximately 8 mm diameter with            elongated plumule. Length of plumule 30 mm.

PLANT

-   Plant form: Climbing.-   Size: Seasons growth attains 2 to 2.5 meters in height. Average    spread is 1 to 1.5 meters.-   Hardiness: Trials to date show the variety hardy in USDA Zones 3 to    9.-   Stems:    -   -   Color.—Young wood: Greyed-Orange 165A. Older wood:            Greyed-Orange 166B.        -   Internodes.—Shape: Cylindrical. Length: 100 to 190 mm.        -   Surface.—Young wood: Smooth and pubescent. Older wood:            Smooth and pubescent.-   Plant foliage:    -   -   Leaf characteristics.—Deciduous.        -   Mature leaf form.—Trifoliate but often up to 5 to 7 leaflets            arranged in pinnate form. Average leaflet count of 3.        -   Compound leaf size.—125 to 230 mm (l)×120 to 170 mm (w).        -   Abundance.—Above average.        -   Color.—Upper surfaces of mature leaves: Green Group 141A.            Lower surfaces of mature leaves: Green Group 141C. Upper            surfaces of new foliage: Yellow-Green Group 141C. Lower            surfaces of new foliage: Yellow-Green Group 141D.-   Plant leaves and leaflets:    -   -   Stipules.—Absent.        -   Petioles.—Average length: 75 to 100 mm. Color: Grey-Brown            Group 199A. Clasping: By leaf petiole.        -   Petioloule.—Length: 5 to 15 mm. Color: Yellow-Green Group            144D.        -   Leaflet shape.—General shape: Elliptical. Base: Rounded.            Apex: Acute. Margin: Entire.        -   Leaflet size.—20 to 25 mm in length by 10 to 15 mm wide.        -   Leaflet texture.—Upper side: Smooth. Lower side: Smooth.            Pubescence: Not observed. Thickness: Moderate. Glossiness:            Moderately Glossy Finish.-   Disease resistance: Subject to any disease that normally attacks the    species, however the variety is more tolerant to Botrytis, Phoma    clematadina, and root diseases such as Theilaviopsis than some    Clematis.

1. A new and distinct variety of Clematis plant named ‘Evipo032’,described and illustrated herein, due to its abundant deep violetflowers, attractive long-lasting foliage and repeatable flowering underglasshouse conditions, suitability for production from softwood cuttingsin pots, durable flowers and foliage which make the variety suitable fordistribution in the floral industry.